USC QB Matt Barkley sprains ankle

CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley suffered a high left ankle sprain when he was hit toward the end of the first half of USC's 36-7 loss to Oregon State on Saturday and did not return to the game.

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Barkley was helped off the field and briefly walked unaided before he was taken away on a cart. He returned to the sideline late in the third quarter on crutches and with a walking boot on his left leg. His status for the last two games of the season against Notre Dame and UCLA will be re-evaluated when the team returns to Los Angeles.

"That's the last thing I want," said Barkley on the possibility of missing the rest of the season. "I'm going to do everything in my power not to let that happen."

Barkley was injured after being sacked by Oregon State defensive tackle Kevin Frahm and landing awkwardly on a fourth down play with 37 seconds left in the second quarter.

"My ankle just got twisted out," Barkley said. "I tried to roll out of the sack and it just rolled me up. If I hadn't worn my knee brace then my knee would have been blown out so this is better than that."

Barkley had completed 10 of 19 passes for 75 yards against the Beavers, but also threw an interception that Jordan Poyer returned 65 yards for a touchdown. Backup Mitch Mustain took over in the second half of USC's 36-7 loss, completing 8 of 17 passes for 60 yards.

Barkly wasn't the only USC player hurt during the game. Linebacker Chris Gallipo suffered a concussion on a special teams play in the first quarter and didn't return to the game.

"I couldn't see for a good five or ten minutes," said Gallipo, who watched the second half from the sidelines in his sweats. "I started feeling a little nauseous and threw up a little bit and couldn't come back."